I Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself!

For months I have had difficulty putting into words the pain I have felt as I listened to, read and watched many of my friends on both sides of the political divide talk. Make no bones about it this election year has clearly proven just how divided our country has been and still is! I think the most disappointing part of this whole process has been the division I have seen in the church among "Christians"! I wonder sometimes if we even consider our words before we speak them......or if in fact the words we speak are truly a reflection of our heart?

I had decided that would not write a post until after the elections were over. But days after the election I was still conflicted as to how to even broach the subject. Thank goodness that God equipped me with a compassionate and thoughtful team who think the same as I do. No words are needed from me when my friend and BSN team member Alida has said it so well!

Thought for Today...Respecting our leaders and praying for them!

Congratulations to President Barack Obama!

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Let everyone be subject to governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves. Romans 13:1-2 NIV

I pray that all who claim the name of Christ will choose not to denigrate our president any longer but will instead commit to praying for him. God has appointed him for a second time as the President of the United States. All throughout this election process the things I have read and heard Christians say about the president have truly hurt my heart. I grew up in a military home. The Commander in Chief was always respected by my father and mother no matter which party he was from. I cannot even remember my father talking down President Nixon when everyone else around him was doing so. His signature is on my dad's honorary discharge papers proudly on display in my parents home to this day.

President Obama needs our prayers not our insults or condemnation. I know that as I write this there are those who are celebrating and those who are grieving. It is important to remember that God was in control these past four years and He will continue to be in control for the next four years and beyond. There are devoted, Bible believing, Christians in both parties. Christ is not fully represented by either party.

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One party focuses on protecting the unborn and preserving the Biblical view of marriage. The other party focuses on caring for the least of these...educating, feeding and providing medical care for the poor and disenfranchised. All of which are godly values. There is a great article I read entitled 7 Things Christians Need to Remember About Politics. You can read it by clicking here. As I read through it this quote stood out for me:

The political process is dirty and broken and far from Jesus. Paranoia and vitriol are hardly attractive accessories for the bride of Christ. Rather than engage in the political process, Christians have a duty to elevate it. Like any other sin, we are called to stand above the partisan dissension and demonstrate a better way. Should we have an opinion? Yes. Should we care about our country? Yes. Should we vote? Yes. But it’s time we talk politics in a way that models the teachings of Jesus rather than mocks them.

So whether you celebrate or grieve today...let's all pray together for the hearts of our government leaders on the national, state, and city levels. And as believers let's remember to be loving, kind, and compassionate toward others no matter how we or they voted.

Thank you Alida for being a beacon of light in a dark place!

I also suggest you also read an article from fellow BSN "sista" Carla Adair Hendricks. My question to each of you is where do we go from here? How can we as the church bring about awareness of the evil that is Racism? We are quick to broach the subject of abortion, gay rights and even the downfall of the USA under our present administration. When do we as a Chiristians come together and broach the one subject everyone in the room refuses to discuss? Until we as a people learn to cross the "Red Sea" together we will continue to be a divided city, country, and nation. I would ask that we each consider the consequences of inaction! Better yet.....what would Jesus command us to do?

^{Revolation 7:9} After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm brancheswere in their hands; ¹⁰ and they cry out with a loud voice, saying,
“Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” ¹¹ And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,¹² saying,
“Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
¹³ Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?” ¹⁴ I ^[a]said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ¹⁵ For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His ^[b]temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. ¹⁶ They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun ^[c]beat down on them, nor any heat; ¹⁷ for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the ^[d]water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”